USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home


            
            In This Section
        Resource Center
                Security Awareness Training
                How to Do Business with FRA
                                Overview
                Federal Railroad Administration Vendor Registration Form
                Small Business Goals
                Contracting Opportunities
                Glossary of Award Types
                Jobs
                Equal Employment Opportunity
                Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
                Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
                Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                                Overview / How to Make a FOIA Request
                Electronic Reading Room
      
   Related Links
          Department of Transportation FOIA
                                                        Department of Transportation FOIA Annual Reports to Congress
                                                        Department of Justice FOIA
                
                Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
    

    
    
          The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, is a Federal law that gives you the right to access Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) records unless FRA reasonably foresees that the release of the information in those records would harm an interest protected by one or more of the nine exemptions (such as business proprietary, personal privacy, and investigative documents) or release is prohibited by law. The FRA is an operating administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation and subject to the Department’s FOIA Regulation (49 C.F.R. Part 7).  For more guidance on the FOIA requirement and exemptions, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy webpage at https://www.justice.gov/oip.

**Before making a FOIA request, you may find the information you seek on FRA’s website or in FRA’s e-library: https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary-search**

FRA’s Web site
	FRA’s e-library
	FRA's Safety Data Website (data related to railroad accidents and incidents, including railroad supplied highway-rail grade crossing accidents, rail equipment accidents, and employee injuries and illnesses)
	FRA Headquarters-Level Railroad Accident Investigation Reports (headquarters-assigned investigations and reports for completed investigations beginning in January 2005). It typically takes from six to nine months from the date of the accident for a report to be completed. This site will be updated regularly as new accidents are assigned for investigation and additional investigation reports are completed.
	Docket Info website (FRA and Department of Transportation rulemaking proceedings)
	FRA’s Electronic Reading Room**How to Make a FOIA Request**

Any person can file a FOIA request, including U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, organizations, associations and universities.
 
Address your request to: Freedom of Information Act Coordinator.
 
Requests may be submitted by mail, email, fax or in person at the address or fax number identified below.   Please do not submit duplicate copies of the same request.
 
E-mail to FRAFOIA@dot.gov is the preferred and most expeditious method for sending your request. 
 
If you wish, you may send your request in person, via mail, or by facsimile to the address or number below:
 
Freedom of Information Office
Office of Chief Counsel
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, Stop 10
Washington, D.C.   20590
(202) 493-6068

**No matter which method you use to send your request, you must:**

Make your request in writing.
	Indicate that you are making a request pursuant to FOIA.
	Mark the envelope “FOIA Request” if you mail your request.
	Be specific as to the record(s) you are seeking (e.g., include the title of the document, for accident reports include the date and location, including city and county, of the accident, FRA Accident Report Number (if known), U.S. DOT-AAR Crossing Number (for crossing accidents), and the age/date of birth of any injured individuals).
	Include your telephone number, email address, and fax number so that we can contact you if we have any questions and a return address so we can send any responsive records.
	Indicate whether you are requesting information in paper form (FRA sends records in electronic form whenever possible).
	Indicate your fee category, willingness to pay fees, and state the maximum fees you are willing to pay.
	Our fee schedule is addressed in section 7.46 of the Department' s FOIA Regulation (49 C.F.R. Part 7).
	You may pay FOIA Fees by Credit Card or Personal Check.
	If you have received a final determination from the agency that assesses FOIA processing charges, these fees may be paid by credit card by visitinghttp://www.pay.gov/paygov.
	If you pay FOIA processing charges by personal check your check will be converted into an electronic fund transfer.All FOIA requests are processed in the Office of Chief Counsel at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.  For questions, email: FRAFOIA@dot.gov
 **Additional Resources:**

If you have any questions regarding your FOIA request, you may contact FRA’s FOIA Office at: FRAFOIA@dot.gov.

You may also contact FRA’s FOIA Public Liaison, Mr. William Wong, at FRAFOIALiaison@dot.gov for any further assistance and to discuss any aspect of your request.
              
      
    
          Last updated: Thursday, March 14, 2024 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards